Coalition of Attorneys General Want National Right-to-Carry Reciprocity

Gun Rights State Lines
Coalition of Attorneys General Want National Right-to-Carry Reciprocity. IMG NRA-ILA

Charlotte, NC –-(Ammoland.com)- As we reported last November, the ongoing effort to fully vindicate the fundamental, individual right to carry a concealed handgun for self-defense took a major step forward with House passage of H.R. 822, the “National Right-to-Carry Reciprocity Act of 2011.”

The bill, sponsored by Reps. Cliff Stearns (R-Fla.) and Heath Shuler (D-N.C.), has 245 cosponsors and was approved in the U.S. House of Representatives by an overwhelming bipartisan vote of 272-154.

After passage in the House, the bill was sent to the Senate, where it remains.  Since November, the Senate has failed to take any significant action on the bill.

Recently, the Attorneys General of 22 states and the territory of Guam wrote a letter of support for H.R. 822 to Reps. Stearns and Shuler, stating in part, “While some have suggested this legislation would endanger public safety, our experience suggests the opposite.  Individuals with concealed carry permits from our states have proven to be more law-abiding than non-licensees, and in many instances have been able to defend themselves and others effectively from criminal attack.  Many of our states also have laws recognizing out-of-state permits, and people carrying concealed handguns under those laws have done so without any unusual problems.”

The Attorneys General also urged the Senate to take action on the bill.

H.R. 822 would allow any person with a valid state-issued concealed firearm permit to carry a concealed firearm in any state that issues concealed firearm permits, or that does not prohibit the carrying of concealed firearms for lawful purposes. A state’s laws governing where concealed firearms may be carried would apply within its borders. The bill applies to D.C., Puerto Rico, and U.S. territories. It would not create a federal licensing system; rather, it would require the states to recognize each others’ carry permits, just as they recognize drivers’ licenses and carry permits held by armored car guards. Rep. Stearns has introduced such legislation since 1995.

To read the letter in full, please click here.


About NRA-ILA

Established in 1975, the Institute for Legislative Action (ILA) is the “lobbying” arm of the National Rifle Association of America. ILA is responsible for preserving the right of all law-abiding individuals in the legislative, political, and legal arenas, to purchase, possess and use firearms for legitimate purposes as guaranteed by the Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. Visit: www.nra.org

NRA - Institute for Legislative Action

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Inquisitor

It is my opinion that States that do not recognize every other State's Concealed Weapons Permits are in violation of Article IV, Section 1 of the US Constitution and in so doing are also violating the right of the people under Amendment II of the US Constitution to “keep and bear arms”. The Federal Government has an obligation under Article IV, Section 1, and Amendment XIV, Section 5, of the US Constitution to enforce the interstate recognition of Concealed Weapons Permits. H.R. 822 is intended to correct those States non-compliance with the US Constitution. Failure to enforce that interstate recognition… Read more »

Chris

So i read the entire Act as passed by the House. Im not sure I follow the whole thing… I have a Non res permit only due to Ohio's goofy laws… I would still be alloed to carry the non res in my own state????? Hmmm